Hi friends,
When we think of catastrophic failures like the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, we often imagine technical malfunctions or single-point errors. But patient safety officer Dr. Ron Wyatt sees a deeper, more unsettling parallel between that infamous explosion and the kinds of preventable tragedies that happen in hospitals every day.
Over decades investigating sentinel events—the most serious and avoidable medical errors—Dr. Wyatt has uncovered a common thread: these failures don’t usually stem from a lack of knowledge or skill. They happen in environments where fear overrides curiosity, where hierarchies suppress questions, and where speaking up can feel impossible. And in far too many cases, racism and bias add another layer of silence and harm.
In this week’s episode, Dr. Wyatt shares the stories, data, and lessons he’s learned from his time at The Joint Commission, where he helped set national safety standards for hospitals. From wrong-site surgeries to overlooked diagnoses, he explains what truly drives medical errors—and how we can build systems that are both safer and more just.
With Care,
Emily and The Nocturnists Team
Resources for this episode
Achieving Health Equity: A Guide for Heath Care Organizations
National Patient Safety Goal to Advance Excellent Health Outcomes for All
Racial Bias in Health Care and Health: Challenges and Opportunities
The health-care industry doesn’t want to talk about this single word
Quick note: In this episode, Dr. Wyatt mentions his time at The Joint Commission. The correct length of his tenure is 5 years.
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